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Hannah Shatliff is bravely planning on shaving off all her hair to support ELDSSG.

On the 4th July 2015 ELDSSG are holding their annual fundraising walk at Calf Hey reservoir and its at this walk that Hannah is bravely planning on shaving off all her hair. She planning on donating the money she’s hoping to raise to ELDSSG and as she has beautifully long hair – see the picture, she’s going to donate it to the Little Princess Trust (so wigs can be made for young girls and boys who have lost their hair due to cancer).

It would be fantastic if you could support her in her fundraising efforts by donating whatever you can! It would be equally brilliant if you could join us at the walk (which this year has an American theme) and come and watch her get her hair shaved! Thanks for your generosity!

Inspired by the help she has received to care for her young son, Joanne Emberga, who works for Rossendale Interiors, is appealing for help to find a suitable venue to launch the group, named the East Lancs Down Syndrome Support Group.

Joanne, whose son Linden was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome at 6-8 weeks explains: “My experience has made me want to help other families like ours. Which is why myself and a few other parents have set up this Down’s Syndrome support group in the Rossendale area.

“Inspired by the support we have received, we wanted to give back by providing a place for parents to meet each other, to offer the chance for medical professionals and experts a to come and offer their advice and create a fun place where the children can make friends and play.

“Often the best kind of emotional support comes from people who are going through the same situation. The best kind of information is not from textbooks or the Internet but often first hand experience and having someone near who can offer advice is often the most helpful way of getting through what can be a distressing time.

“It’s been a tough couple of years and myself and my husband are so grateful to have been given so much help from various people and professionals, at hospitals, nurseries and support groups, all of whom we couldn’t have coped without.

“Linden attends Stepping Stones nursery in Haslingden, with other children who have special needs. We also joined a support group set-up by DS West Pennine, in Oldham, where we have days-out, Christmas parties and meet other families and we attend the swimming group, Rossendale Rays.

“Linden brings us joy every single day. He’s our son, he will take a little longer to learn things but he will get there with support. Down’s Syndrome doesn’t define Linden, it’s only a part of who he is.”

At the moment Joanne is looking for a suitable venue to set up the support group in the Rossendale area, as well as seeking out fundraising opportunities and families who would be interested in this support.

If you can help in any way please get in touch, they would love to hear from you.

A MUM is launching a support group for families bringing up children with Downs Syndrome.

Joanne Emberga, 38, of Newline, Bacup, decided to launch East Lancs Down’s Syndrome Support Group with the help of volunteers after receiving care to help with her two-year-old son Linden, who has the condition.

Joanne said: My experience has made me want to help other families.

We are all inspired by the support we have received.

We wanted to give something back by providing a place for parents to meet each other, to offer the chance for medical professionals and experts to come and offer their advice and create a fun place where the children can make friends and play.

Often the best kind of emotional support comes from people who are going through the same situation.

Its been a tough couple of years and myself and my husband are so grateful to have been given so much help from various people and professionals, at hospitals, nurseries and support groups.

Linden attends Stepping Stones nursery in Haslingden and the whole family including Lindens big sister Martel, five, are members of the Rossendale Rays swimming group.

For every 1,000 babies born, one will have Downs, a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the bodys cells.

Joanne, who works for Rossendale Interiors, is now looking for a suitable venue where the group can meet.

She said: Linden brings us joy every single day.

“Hes our son, he will take a little longer to learn things but he will get there with support.